Dna And The Human Body - 1772 Words

Each cell in the human body has the same exact genetic material, with a few exceptions, and yet each cell does something different than all the other cells. Contained within the nucleus, the entire genome can be found, and within the genome, there is all the information needed to construct a specific organism. The genome is composed of deoxyribose nucleic acids, also called DNA, which breaks down into smaller units called genes. A gene has a specific sequence of adenine, thymine, cytosine, and guanine molecules that will code for a specific polypeptide. Polypeptides can then go on to become proteins for the cell to use. The genome is the same in every cell, but with about 200 different cell types, there must be something telling the†¦show more content†¦Such things (include?)like the histone modification or methylation of DNA. Some sources debate that ‘epigenetics’ refers to all environmental factors which cause the alterations to occur. Things like the s moke from cigarettes, the food that you eat, the environment inside the placenta, you amount of sleep you get, and your exercising habits[3]. As epigenetics becomes more prominent in science, the debate evolves and the definition changes. Scientists are considering the effects of these epigenetic modifications as well as what creates the modifications. Several mechanisms cause these alterations to gene expression. The most commonly considered factors are DNA methylation, histone modification, and the effects of non-coding RNA. With DNA methylation, methyl groups (CH3) are added directly to the DNA. These methyl groups attach to the fifth carbon of the cytosine nitrogenous base by a protein called DNA-methyltransferase. The most common location for these methylations is at CpG sites, which are locations with a high amount of cytosine-guanine base pairs. The methylated cytosine is called a 5-methylcytosine (5-mc)[4]. The bound methyl group protrudes into the major grove of th e DNA double helix and does not allow for any proteins to bind. DNA can either be hypermethylated, with a high number of methyl groups attached, or hypomethylated, with a low number of methyl groups attached. Hypermethylation typically causes genes toShow MoreRelatedDna And The Human Body1485 Words   |  6 Pages Inside the human body there lies something very unique to us that we call the DNA. It is predicted that there are over 3 billion base-pairs of DNA inside the average human. DNA itself is huge so let’s cover the basics you need to know about it. The DNA includes, RNA, Double-Helix, Base-pairing and an alternate DNA structure. It may seem amazing but beware your DNA can be damaged and or Replicated. In crime DNA comes very handy because detectives use forensics. Every living thing on the planetRead MoreGene Therapy Essay779 Words   |  4 Pagesremoved functioning ADA gene into the viral DNA so that recombinant circular DNA (cDNA) can be created. Viral DNA is obtained from a virus, such as an adenovirus (often used for gene therapy treatments) which has been ‘purified’ so that it does not cause harm (infect host with the virus) to the human body when introduced. The ADA gene is then spliced into the open vector (viral cDNA), using the enzyme ligase which glues the ADA gene into the viral DNA by bonding the sugar phosphate groups togetherRead MoreThe Role Of Proteins Of A Cell Range From Structural, Enzymatic And Hormonal Functions1345 Words   |  6 Pages The DNA encodes specific characteristics of an organism which breaks down into genes. The genes goes through a transcription process. Transcription is where the language of the body s building blocks is transcribed from DNA to RNA and the body will recognize it so it can carry out the next process. Translation of the information collected from RNA is the next step. The information collected is transported to the protein. Certain proteins play specific roles so the body synthesizes the right proteinRead MoreThe Human Body Limits Iron Stores1287 Words   |  6 PagesGenes are small segments of DNA (on a specific locus of a chromosome) that contain the code used to synthesise a protein and mRNA molecule (Khan Academy, 2014). The ‘normal’ function of the HFE protein involved with haemochromatosis is to regulate the production of the protein hepcidin, produced in the liver, which determines levels of dietary iron absorption and the it’s release from storage sites in t he body (Haemochromatosis.org.au, 2014). The human body limits iron stores through the HFE proteinRead MoreThe Role Dna Serves For The Human Cell1267 Words   |  6 Pages The Role DNA Serves For The Human Cell Deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) accommodates a variety of purposes, including data storage and replication, in the human cell and in the cells of many other organisms. DNA in a human cell is primarily responsible for storing genetic information that is utilized to control virtually every aspect of cellular expression. This genetic information is passed down from parents to progeny, resulting in progeny with some genetic traits of each parent. DNA is withal replicatedRead MoreWhat is DNA? Where is it found? Essay660 Words   |  3 Pages What is DNA? Where is it found? What makes it so special? How does it work? DNA (Deoxyribonucleic Acid), is defined as a heredity material in humans or all over other organisms in this world. In a person’s body, nearly every cell has a same DNA. Mostly DNA can be found in cell nucleus and few are found in Mitochondria. (Christine A.Evers, 2012). †¢ COMPONENTS OF DNA: The DNA information is stored as a code and they are made up of four chemical bases:Read MoreEssay about DNA: The Basis for Sustaining Life1334 Words   |  6 Pagesof DNA Have you ever asked yourself â€Å"why my eyes are this color?â€Å" Have you questioned why you look the way you do? All of your physical features come from our genetics. Those genetics are family traits that are passed down through our individual bloodline. All of these individualities come from what is considered the fundamental building blocks of life, DNA. DeoxyriboNucleic Acid is the scientific name for DNA (SITE). A Swiss medical student named Johann Friedrich Miescher discovered DNA inRead MoreGene Therapy And Delivery Methods1245 Words   |  5 PagesIntroduction: Each human body consists of net numbers of genes in which half of genes are defective in nature. We do not suffer any injurious effects from that defective genes as we carry two copies of DNA that carries two copies of the specific gene present in somatic cells. The gene which is likely to be harmful is recessive gene so if we inherit two copies of recessive gene from our parent, then disease will occur ( Carroll, 2011).Now days every year noticeable children are born with geneticRead MoreEssay The Benefits Genetic Engineering for Medical Purposes677 Words   |  3 Pagesscientific, and many other organizations. Most are centered on the idea of using Stem cells as a way of curing diseases. Stem cells are cells that have the capabilities to develop into many different types of cells in the body. Serving as a type of repair system for the body, they can theoretically divide without limit to take over for other cells for as long as the person or animal is still alive. When a stem cell divides, each cell has the potential to either remain a stem cell or become anotherRead MoreThe Ethics of Cloning Essay1504 Words   |  7 Pages The first area of cloning is DNA cloning which is the copying of genes to better understand how they work and find cures for genetic malfunctions. DNA cloning is, perhaps, the oldest of the three types of cloning with it being around since the 1970’s (Cloning Fact Sheet, 2009). This form of cloning is the most widely accepted form since it does not cross into the realm of human cloning which is one of the largest debates that exists. One of the things that DNA cloning can accomplish is curing